LONDON , England -- Painfully hot , they make your eyes water , your heart race and can turn your face embarrassingly red .

Chilies have been used for many millenia both for their medicinal benefits and exciting falvor .

Once only a staple of cuisine from far flung regions of the world , chilies can now be found in almost any dish around the globe .

Last week an Indian woman wolfed down 51 `` ghost chilies , '' -- the world 's spiciest -- in two minutes and smeared the seeds on her eyes for an entry into the Guinness World Records .

Anandita Dutta Tamuly , 28 , achieved the bizarre and fiery undertaking in the Indian north-eastern state of Assam .

She was cheered on by British chef Gordon Ramsay , who also attempted a bite of the hot stuff before begging for water . A single seed can cause watering eyes , as well as a burning sensation in the mouth that can last up to five hours .

A chili 's spiciness is measured in Scoville units ; the number of times a chili extract must be diluted in water in order for it to lose its heat .

The `` ghost chili '' , also known as bhut jolokia , has more than 1 million Scoville units , while Tabasco sauce ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units and jalapeno peppers from 2,500 to 8,000 units .

Chilies have formed part of the diet in the Americas since approximately 7,500 BC and owe most of their fame to their sometimes unbearably spicy flavor .

But they have also long been recognized for their health benefits . Scientific research -- and legend -- have attributed health wonders to chilies over the years .

Diego Alvarez Chanca , a physician on explorer Christopher Columbus ' second voyage to the West Indies in 1493 , first wrote about the pepper 's medicinal effects back in 1494 .

Below we look at effects eating chilies has on the body .

Skin

Other than for its flavor-enhancing qualities , chili is , oddly enough , used to fight the summer heat .

As the chili causes extreme sweating and blood rushing to the face , it cools the body down when the sweat evaporates , making it useful for combating heat .

These same heat inducing properties are said to have a cumulative effect and over time are believed to alleviate pain when used in treatments for anything from arthritis and psoriasis to shingles and severe burns .

Brain

The substances that give chili peppers their intensity when eaten or applied on the skin are called capsaicinoids .

When consumed , capsaicinoids connect with pain receptors in the mouth and throat that are normally responsible for sensing heat .

Once activated by the capsaicinoids , these receptors send a message to the brain that the person has consumed something hot .

The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate , increasing perspiration and releasing endorphins , called the body 's `` natural painkillers '' and `` happy hormones . ''

Stomach

Chilies have long been associated with soothing the digestive system , by acting as stomach cleansers . According to the UK Food Guide , chili helps to settle stomach upset and encourages the production of good digestive acid .

Chili aficionados believe the fruits can also induce weight loss because the substance that makes them `` hot '' speed up the body 's metabolism .

However , one study by the American Institute of Cancer Research performed in Mexico showed in 2003 that a high consumption of chilies -LRB- approximately nine to 25 jalapeno peppers per day -RRB- is in fact associated with stomach cancer .

Immune system

Red chilies contain high amounts of carotene and vitamin C . It is said that chilies contain more vitamin C than citrus fruits . Chili peppers are also a good source of vitamin B6 and are very high in potassium , magnesium and iron , giving them a reputation for naturally boosting the body 's immune system .

Heart and other cardiovascular effects

A 2006 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that after adding chili to the diet , bad cholesterol , that can often lead to heart problems , took a longer time to develop into heart diseases .

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An Indian woman last week wolfed down 51 `` ghost chilies '' in two minutes

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The ghost chili has 1 million Scoville units , the measurement of a chili 's heat

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Chilies have also long been recognized for their health benefits